Iowa's Nate Stanley looks to pass against Mississippi State in Tuesday's Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (USA TODAY Sports)

The Gazette

Nate Stanley threw three touchdown passes, two set up by turnovers, and Iowa knocked off No. 18 Mississippi State 27-22 in the Outback Bowl on Tuesday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

Iowa (9-4) receiver Nick Easley was named MVP after catching eight passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns, a 75-yard bomb and then what proved to be a game-winning 8-yarder.

Stanley was 21-for-31 passing for 214 yards and an interception. A strip-sack forced by A.J. Epenesa and recovered by Chauncey Golston set up one TD, and Golston's interception off a tipped pass from Anthony Nelson led to Easley's second.

MSU (8-5) quarterback Nick Fitzgerald was also picked off by Jake Gervase in the end zone when a potential go-ahead TD was dropped by Stephen Guidry in the fourth quarter. Gervase broke up Fitzgerald's fourth-and-5 pass at the Iowa 31 with less than a minute left to seal the win.

Fitzgerald rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown as MSU also converted two Iowa turnovers into touchdowns within a minute near the start of the third quarter. But the QB was only 14-of-32 through the air for 152 yards and a score.

Iowa finished with minus-15 yards rushing, but took advantage of the Bulldogs' turnovers and eight penalties. The Hawkeyes weren't penalized.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak against SEC opponents for Iowa and was its second straight bowl victory.